(Waterford) asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will make a statement on the control of private video operations.

I assume that the Deputy is referring to video operations which may be in breach of the Copyright Act, 1963.

If infringement of copyright occurs in connection with video recordings, it would be for the owners of the copyright to take action in the courts to protect their property rights. The acts restricted by copyright in cinematograph film include making a copy, or causing it to be seen or heard in public, and it would be for the courts to decide the extent to which the private video operations referred to by the Deputy would be covered by this restriction.

I note from press reports that the interests concerned by such operations are in fact taking effective action in court under the provisions of the Copyright Act.